Hospital

Being sick isn't fun, but playing sick is wonderful. A good way to help detraumatize modern medicine for kids.

Objectives

Children ages 3-4 years can use language to describe what is happening, share feelings, and tell a story Lang. IIIA
Children ages 4 and up can use a variety of approaches to solve a problem Cog. I
Children ages 1 ½-2 years can identify body parts by pointing Lang. IA
All of the children can participate in role playing involving specific situations Cog. IV A

Materials

Area set up as play hospital -- bed, stethoscope, bandages, and plastic medicine bottles, cotton, eye dropper (as much medical paraphernalia as possible); Dr.'s uniform; ambulance (wagon); watered down catsup for blood (optional).

Procedures

1. Bring box of hospital props into the housekeeping corner and explain to the children that they are going to play hospital. Discuss why people go to the hospital, who works there, what is done there to help make sick people better.

2. Have several children be the doctor and nurses (try to avoid sexual role stereotyping). Have someone be the ambulance driver and someone else be the patient.

3. The teacher should remain present to guide the activity, facilitate language and encourage participation. It is helpful to participates, not as director, but as an active party in the play activity. Whatever direction the children take, try to accommodate or allow it to happen.

4. When the patient is brought to the hospital, encourage the naming of body parts, e.g. look at legs, feel the arms, check the hands, etc. Try to determine what "damage" caused the illness, e.g. hit by car because wasn't watching traffic while crossing street. Explore various ways to treat the illness, such as medicine, bandage, therapy.

5. Change children in the various roles and play again.